Flexible container systems and nozzles, and related methods

ABSTRACT

A container system includes at least one flexible wall defining a compartment containing a dissolvable solid or concentrate, a support adjacent a first end of the at least one flexible wall, and a nozzle assembly coupled to a second end of the at least one flexible wall. The second end of the wall is distal from the first end. The nozzle assembly comprises a hollow body defining a longitudinal axis. The hollow body further defines a plurality of orifices through a wall thereof. Each orifice is able to form a fluid connection between an interior volume within the hollow body and the compartment. Each orifice is configured to deliver liquid from the interior volume to the compartment in a direction having an angle of between 5° and 85° from a direction of the longitudinal axis. Related nozzles and methods are also disclosed.

FIELD

Embodiments of the application relate generally to container systemsthat may be used, for example, in preparing and delivering solutions topatients, such as solutions for dialysis.

BACKGROUND

Dialysis is commonly used to replace kidney function lost by kidneydisease. Most importantly, dialysis is designed to remove waste toxinsand excess water from the blood. In one type of dialysis—hemodialysis(HD)—toxins are filtered from a patient's blood through a dialyzerseparated by a semi-permeable membrane from a large volume of externaldialysis solution. The waste and toxins dialyze out of the blood throughthe membrane into the dialysis solution, which is then discarded.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an alternative method that makes use of anatural, semi-permeable membrane surrounding the walls of the patient'sabdomen or peritoneal cavity (i.e., the peritoneum). During a PDprocedure, a solution is introduced into the patient's abdomen, where itremains for up to several hours, removing toxins via diffusion acrossthe membrane. This solution is then drained from the body along with thetoxins dissolved therein.

Dialysis solutions generally include water and glucose, electrolytes(e.g., sodium, calcium, potassium, chlorine, magnesium, etc.), acids(e.g., citric acid, acetic acid, etc.) and/or bases (e.g., bicarbonate).These solutions may be premixed or may be shipped as concentrates orpowders to be mixed to a final concentration at the point of use.Premixed solutions are more expensive to ship and store. Shipping andstoring concentrates or powders is cheaper, but increases costs formixing on-site at the time of use (e.g., in the form of additional stepsfor a medical practitioner).

Mixing requires addition of purified water and agitation over a periodof time to ensure a solution of uniform concentration. Conventionaldialysis processes may require the use of one supply line to add liquidto the solution container and a second line to remove liquid from thesolution container, which lines complicate manufacture and use, andincreases costs.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In some embodiments, a container system includes at least one flexiblewall defining a compartment containing a dissolvable solid orconcentrate, a support adjacent a first end of the at least one flexiblewall, and a nozzle assembly coupled to a second end of the at least oneflexible wall. The second end of the wall is distal from the first end.The nozzle assembly comprises a hollow body defining a longitudinalaxis. The hollow body further defines a plurality of orifices through awall thereof. Each orifice is able to form a fluid connection between aninterior volume within the hollow body and the compartment. Each orificeis configured to deliver liquid from the interior volume to thecompartment in a direction having an angle of between 5° and 85° from adirection of the longitudinal axis.

In some embodiments, a nozzle assembly includes a hollow body having agenerally cylindrical exterior surface and defining a longitudinal axis,and a port configured to couple to a catheter. The hollow body defines aplurality of orifices therethrough. Each orifice is able to form a fluidconnection between an interior volume within the hollow body and anexterior volume outside the nozzle assembly. Each orifice is configuredto deliver liquid received from the port to the exterior volume in adirection forming an angle of between 5° and 85° with respect to adirection of the longitudinal axis of the hollow body.

A method for delivering a liquid includes providing a plurality ofstreams of a liquid through a nozzle assembly into a compartmentcontaining a dissolvable solid or concentrate, mixing the dissolvablesolid or concentrate with the liquid to form a solution; and withdrawingthe solution after mixing from the compartment through the nozzleassembly. The compartment is defined by at least one flexible wallhaving a support adjacent a first end of the at least one flexible wall.The nozzle assembly is coupled to a second end of the at least oneflexible wall distal from the first end. The nozzle assembly includes ahollow body defining a longitudinal axis. The hollow body defines aplurality of orifices therethrough, each orifice able to form a fluidconnection between an interior volume within the hollow body and thecompartment. Each orifice is configured to deliver the liquid from theinterior volume to the compartment in a direction having an angle ofbetween 5° and 85° from a direction of the longitudinal axis.

The mixing process can be completed relatively quickly, such that thesolution may be withdrawn shortly after the streams of liquid are firstprovided into the compartment. Furthermore, the nozzle design enablesthe use of a single fluid line to fill the compartment and remove themixed solution. Thus, the container system may expedite and simplify theprocess of providing the mixed solution.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a simplified side view illustrating an embodiment of acontainer system.

FIG. 2 is a simplified side view illustrating another embodiment of acontainer system.

FIG. 3 is a simplified cross-sectional side view of a portion of anozzle assembly that may be used in a container system.

FIG. 4 is a simplified cross-sectional side view of a portion of anozzle assembly that may be used in a container system.

FIG. 5 is a simplified cross-sectional top view of a portion of a nozzleassembly that may be used in a container system.

FIG. 6 is a simplified perspective view of a nozzle assembly.

FIG. 7 is a simplified perspective view of another nozzle assembly.

FIG. 8 is a simplified perspective view of another nozzle assembly.

FIG. 9 is a simplified perspective view of another nozzle assembly.

FIG. 10 is a simplified cross-sectional view of another nozzle assembly.

FIG. 11 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a portion of a containersystem showing streamlines of fluid flow within the container system.

FIG. 12 is a simplified cross-sectional view of a portion of anothercontainer system showing streamlines of fluid flow within the containersystem.

FIG. 13 is a simplified perspective view illustrating an embodiment ofanother container system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrations presented herein are not actual views of anyparticular container system, but are merely idealized representationsthat are employed to describe example embodiments of the disclosure.Additionally, elements common between Figures may retain the samenumerical designation.

FIG. 1 illustrates a container system 100. The illustrated containersystem 100 is configured to contain liquids used for dialysis, such aselectrolytes, bicarbonate, sodium chloride, dextrose, etc.

The container system 100 is illustrated as including at least oneflexible wall 102 defining a compartment 104. For example, the at leastone flexible wall 102 shown in FIG. 1 includes a front wall 102 a and arear wall 102 b, with a seam 106 connecting the front wall 102 a to therear wall 102 b. The flexible wall 102 may be polyvinyl chloride (PVC),monomaterial ethylene vinyl acetate (EVAM), polyolefin, polyethylene,polypropylene, polyamides, etc. The flexible wall 102 may be, forexample, a single material or layers of different materials.

The container system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes three separatecompartments 104, but any number of compartments 104 may be defined bythe flexible wall 102. In some embodiments, the compartments 104 mayhave rigid walls, or a combination of rigid and flexible walls. FIG. 1is not drawn to scale, and there is no particular limitation on thedimensions or ratio of dimensions of the container system 100.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a container system 200 that has a singlecompartment. The seam 106 may be a continuous or nearly continuous sealsurrounding the compartment 104. In some embodiments, such a flexiblewall 102 may include a single wall (e.g., a generally cylindrical wall).Nonetheless, the flexible wall 102 and the seam 106 may substantiallyenclose the compartment 104. The seam 106 may be, for example, amelt-bonded portion of the flexible wall 102, an ultrasonically weldedportion of the flexible wall 102, an adhesive, etc.

The compartment 104 may contain a dissolvable solid or a concentrate(i.e., a liquid, typically with a compound dissolved therein) that maybe used to form a dialyzing solution. For example, the compartment 104may contain sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, dextrose, a buffer, anelectrolyte, etc., or any combination thereof.

The container system 100 may include a support 108 to facilitatemaintaining the container system 100 in an upright position (FIG. 1).For example, the support 108 may include a hole through the flexiblewall 102, a hook, or other structure adapted to attach to a fixed ormovable object (e.g., an IV pole). In some embodiments, the support 108includes a portion of the seam 106, to which a clamp or other device maybe attached.

The container system 100 includes a nozzle assembly 110 and a fluidconduit (e.g., a catheter) coupled to a port 112 to provide a fluidconnection to the compartment 104. The nozzle assembly 110 may includematerials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), monomaterial ethylene vinylacetate (EVAM), polyolefin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate,polyamides, etc. The flexible wall 102 may be a single material orlayers of different materials. The nozzle assembly 110 may be coupled toan end of the flexible wall 102 at an opposite end of the compartment104 from the support 108, such that when the container system 100 ishanging from a structure (e.g., an IV pole), the nozzle assembly 110 isat the bottom of the compartment 104. The nozzle assembly 110 may be theonly fluid connection to the compartment 104 (or, as pictured in FIG. 1,the only fluid connection to each compartment 104 in a container system100 having multiple compartments 104).

The nozzle assembly 110 may include a hollow body having a generallycylindrical exterior surface and a plurality of orifices extendingthrough a wall of the hollow body. The port 112 may be integral to thenozzle assembly 110, and may be, for example, a screw connector, abarbed connector, a frangible connector, etc. Each orifice is capable offorming a fluid connection between an interior volume within the hollowbody and the compartment 104. FIG. 3 is a simplified cross-sectionalside view of a portion of a nozzle assembly 110, such as the nozzleassemblies 110 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The nozzle assembly 110 mayinclude a hollow body 114 having a generally cylindrical exteriorsurface, but may alternatively have a non-cylindrical shape. The hollowbody 114 defines a plurality of orifices 116 therethrough. Each orifice116 is able to form a fluid connection between an interior volume 118within the hollow body 114 and the compartment 104 (FIGS. 1 and 2).

As shown in FIG. 3, at least some of the orifices 116 may be orientedsuch that liquid flowing through the orifices 116 leaves the nozzleassembly 110 in a direction substantially perpendicular to alongitudinal axis L of the nozzle assembly 110.

FIG. 4 is a simplified cross-sectional side view of a portion of anozzle assembly 110, such as the nozzle assemblies 110 shown in FIGS. 1and 2. The nozzle assembly 110 of FIG. 4 may be the same nozzle assembly110 shown in FIG. 3 (i.e., as viewed along a different plane) or may bea different nozzle assembly 110. As shown in FIG. 4, at least some ofthe orifices 116 may be oriented such that liquid flowing through theorifices 116 leaves the nozzle assembly 110 at an acute angle α withrespect to the longitudinal axis L of the nozzle assembly 110. The angleα may be, for example, between 5° and 85°, such as at least 10°, atleast 30°, at least 45°, or even at least 60°.

FIG. 5 is a simplified cross-sectional top view of a portion of a nozzleassembly 110, such as the nozzle assemblies 110 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 5, at least some of theorifices 116 in the nozzle assembly 110 may be oriented such that fluidleaving the orifices 116 travels in a direction at an angle β withrespect to a direction normal to an exterior surface of the nozzleassembly 110. If the exterior of the nozzle assembly 110 is circular,the angle β is the same as the angle β between the direction of flowfrom the orifice 116 and the radius r passing through the orifice 116and the center C of the nozzle assembly 110. The angle β may be at least5°, at least 10°, at least 30°, at least 45°, or even at least 60°. Insome embodiments, the orifices 116 may be oriented such that they forman acute angle α with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the nozzleassembly 110, as well as a nonzero angle β with respect to the radius r.That is, the direction of flow may form a line skew with respect to thelongitudinal axis L. Such flow directions may promote the mixing ofliquids and optionally solids within the compartment 104 because liquidentering through the nozzle assembly 110 may tend to form a vortex inthe compartment 104 as the liquid exits the nozzle assembly 110. Thus,the nozzle assembly 110 as shown in FIGS. 1-5 herein may promote mixingmore efficiently than conventional fluid nozzles.

FIGS. 6-9 are simplified perspective views of some nozzle assemblies610, 710, 810, and 910, such as the nozzle assembly 110 shown in FIGS.1-5. The nozzle assembly 610 shown in FIG. 6 has six orifices 116arranged circumferentially around the nozzle assembly 610, but anynumber of orifices may be present in other embodiments. The nozzleassembly 710 shown in FIG. 7 has two orifices 116 arranged 180° apart.The orifices 116 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 are each oriented at an anglewith respect to the longitudinal axis L (see FIG. 4) of the nozzleassemblies 610 and 710, such that liquid steams leaving the nozzleassemblies 610 and 710 travel generally outward and upward at an anglewhen the nozzle assemblies 610 and 710 are oriented in an uprightposition.

The nozzle assembly 810 shown in FIG. 8 has six orifices 116 (three ofwhich are visible) arranged circumferentially around the nozzle assembly810, but any number of orifices may be present. The nozzle assembly 910shown in FIG. 9 has two orifices 116 arranged 180° apart (one of whichis visible). The orifices 116 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 are orientedperpendicular to the longitudinal axis L (see FIG. 3) of the nozzleassemblies 810 and 810, such that liquid steams leaving the nozzleassemblies 810 and 910 travel generally horizontally when the nozzleassemblies 810 and 910 are oriented in an upright position.

FIG. 10 is a simplified cross-sectional view of another nozzle assembly1010. The nozzle assembly 1010 may be disposed within a flange 1014. Theflange 1014 and the nozzle assembly 1010 may together define flowchannels 1012 leading to orifices 1016 (e.g., orifices oriented similarto the orifices 116 shown in FIG. 9). Fluid may leave the orifices 1016,for example, in a lateral direction 1020. Fluid may also pass throughthe nozzle assembly 1010 out upper orifices 1018 (e.g., orificesoriented similar to the orifices 116 shown in FIG. 7) in an angleddirection 1030. The direction 1030 may be, for example, from about 5° toabout 85° (e.g., at least 10°) with respect to an angle normal to thesurface of the nozzle assembly 1010. Thus, the nozzle assembly 1010 mayinclude features of the nozzle assembly 710 shown in FIG. 7 and thenozzle assembly 910 shown in FIG. 9.

Returning again to FIGS. 1 and 2, a fluid conduit coupled to the port112 may be configured to provide a liquid (e.g., water) to thecompartment 104 through the nozzle assembly 110. The liquid may be mixedwith a dissolvable solid or concentrate in the compartment 104 to form asolution. The nozzle assembly 110 is configured to receive the solutionfrom the compartment 104 and deliver the solution to the fluid conduitvia the port 112, such that the solution may be used for a biologicalprocess (e.g., transferred to a patient). In some embodiments, thenozzle assembly 110 extends into the compartment a distance betweenabout 1 mm and about 10 mm

In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 1, the seam 106 adjacent thenozzle assembly 110 may form the interior of the container system 100into a conical shape. The nozzle assembly 110 may be adjacent the bottom(in the orientation of FIG. 1) of the conical portion of the compartment104. Thus, when the container system 100 is upright, the solid orconcentrate in the compartment 104 may generally rest near the nozzleassembly 110. Thus, the flow of liquid into the compartment 104 maycause movement of the solid or concentrate, which may promotedissolution in the liquid. The orifices 116 (FIG. 4) are configured todeliver liquid from the interior volume 118 of the nozzle assembly 110to the compartment 104 in a direction substantially parallel to the seam106 at the bottom of the container system 100.

In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 2, the seam 106 adjacent thenozzle assembly 110 form the interior of the container system 200 into arectangular shape. The nozzle assembly 110 may be adjacent the bottom(in the orientation of FIG. 2) of the compartment 104. Thus, when thecontainer system 200 is upright, the solid or concentrate in thecompartment 104 generally rests along the lower seam 106. The orifices116 (FIG. 3) may be configured to deliver liquid from the interiorvolume 118 of the nozzle assembly 110 to the compartment 104 in adirection substantially horizontally, parallel to the seam 106 at thebottom of the container system 100.

In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 1, the container system 100can include a frangible seal 120 configured to limit, restrict, or evenprevent the transfer of material from the compartment 104 until thefrangible seal 120 has been breached. The frangible seal 120 may be, forexample, a peel seal. The frangible seal 120 may enable the containersystem 100 to be shipped and stored with the solid or concentrate insidethe compartment 104. In certain embodiments, the container system 100may include a frangible seal coupled to the port 112, such as describedin U.S. Pat. No. 9,585,810, “Systems and methods for delivery ofperitoneal dialysis (PD) solutions with integrated inter-chamberdiffuser,” issued Mar. 7, 2017, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference.

In some embodiments, the container system 100 includes a barrier 122within the compartment 104 to direct flow from the nozzle assembly 110.The barrier 122 may direct incoming liquid along the lower seam 106 tocause mixing of the solid or concentrate. For example, the barrier 122may be circular as pictured, have straight edges, or any combinationthereof.

In some embodiments, the container system 100 (FIG. 1) is used toprepare and deliver a solution, such as to a patient's body fordialysis. Liquid is provided to the nozzle assembly 110 via the fluidconduit coupled to the port 112. To begin providing the liquid, thefrangible seal 120 may first be breached. The liquid may form aplurality of streams and pass through the nozzle assembly 110 into thecompartment 104. The streams may mix with the solid(s) or concentratewithin the compartment 104 and form a solution having a relativelyuniform composition within the compartment 104. The steams may form arotational flow of liquid within the compartment 104. In someembodiments, the solution within the compartment 104 may optionally befurther agitated by other means, such as by manually shaking orotherwise manipulating the container system 100.

The solution within the compartment 104 may be withdrawn from thecompartment 104 through the nozzle assembly 110, the port 112, and thefluid conduit. The solution may be withdrawn through the same fluidconduit that was used to provide the liquid to the compartment 104.Thus, an operator (e.g., a health-care provider) may need to connect acatheter or other fluid conduit to the container system 100 at a singlepoint. The direction of fluid flow (i.e., into or out of the compartment104) may be controlled by one or more valves, pumps, etc. The solutionmay be withdrawn from the compartment 104 at a variable flow rate. Forexample, the solution may have an initial flow rate when the solutionstarts flowing, and may decrease in a stepwise manner after a period oftime. For example, there may be multiple step changes in the flow rate.In some embodiments, the flow rate may decrease continuously. In otherembodiments, the flow rate may increase over time.

The mixing process may be completed relatively quickly (i.e., thevariance in composition of the solution may be within a selected level,such as within 1%, within 0.5%, or even within 0.1%). Verification thatthe mixing process has been completed may be visual inspection (e.g.,observing whether any undissolved solid remains), by conductivitytesting, or any other method or combination of methods. In someembodiments, the solution may begin to be withdrawn less than 10 minutesafter the steams of liquid are first provided into the compartment 104,less than 5 minutes after the steams of liquid are first provided intothe compartment 104, or even less than 2 minutes after the steams ofliquid are first provided into the compartment 104. Thus, the containersystem 100 may expedite and simplify the process of providing the mixedsolution, such as to a patient.

FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of a container system 300, andincludes a flexible wall 302 and a nozzle assembly 310. The flexiblewall 302 defines a compartment 304 therein. The nozzle assembly 310 hasorifices 316 of different sizes, shapes, and orientations. Though FIG.13 depicts three rows of orifices 316, any number, type, and arrangementof orifices 316 may be present. For example, some orifices 316 aredepicted as circular, and some are depicted as rectangular, though othershapes may be use. Flow of liquid into the compartment 104 through thenozzle assembly 310 may be in both an outward direction 330 and arotational direction 332. In some embodiments, sections of the nozzleassembly 310 may rotate with respect to one another, such that theorifices 316, and therefore streams of the liquid, are oriented to sprayin different directions at different times.

EXAMPLES Example 1

FIG. 11 illustrates theoretical streamlines 124 of fluid flowing into acompartment 104. The compartment 104 has a seam 106 oriented at an acuteangle of approximately 30° with respect to horizontal as shown. Twostreams of the liquid leaving the nozzle assembly 110 are angledgenerally parallel to the seam 106, at approximately 30° fromhorizontal. The streams circulate the liquid within the compartment 104and mix with the solid or concentrate within the compartment 104. Basedon the height of the nozzle assembly 110 and the orientation of the seam106, a volume 126 may be present in which there is minimal mixing (asindicated by a lack of streamlines 124 in the volume 126).

Example 2

FIG. 12 illustrates theoretical streamlines 124 of fluid flowing into acompartment 104. The compartment 104 has a seam 106 with a portionsurrounding the nozzle assembly 110 oriented horizontally. Two streamsof liquid leave the nozzle assembly 110 horizontally. The streamscirculate the liquid within the compartment 104 and mix with the solidor concentrate within the compartment 104. Based on the height of thenozzle assembly 110 and the orientation of the seam 106, the entirevolume or substantially the entire volume of the lower portion of thecompartment 104 may be mixed by the streams (as indicated by thedistribution of the streamlines 124 even at the lower portions of thecompartment 104).

Example 3

Container systems were formed as shown in FIG. 12, having a width of 113mm, each containing 52.92 g of sodium bicarbonate. Water was addedthrough a nozzle assembly as shown in FIG. 9, with a nominal orificearea of 1.1 mm², at various flow rates between 350 g/min and 510 g/min,and at temperatures from 17° C. to 42° C. The container systems werefilled to contain approximately 1.0 L (one liter) of solution. All thesodium bicarbonate was dissolved by the time 1,000 g of the water hadbeen provided into the container system.

Example 4

Container systems were formed as shown in FIG. 12, having a width of 113mm, each containing 38.4 g of potassium chloride, 31.5 g of calciumchloride dihydrate, and 6.5 g of magnesium chloride hexahydrate. Waterwas added through a nozzle assembly as shown in FIG. 9, the nozzlehaving an effective area of 0.397 mm², at various flow rates between 400g/min and 500 g/min, and at temperatures from 15° C. to 39° C. All thesolids had dissolved by the time 500 g of the water had been providedinto the container system.

Example 5

Container systems were formed as shown in FIG. 12, having a width of 81mm, each containing 13.0 g of sodium chloride and 10.0 g of dextrosemonohydrate. Water was added through a nozzle assembly as shown in FIG.9, the nozzle having an effective area of 0.480 mm², at various flowrates between 110 g/min and 240 g/min, and at temperatures from 32° C.to 42° C. The container systems were filled to contain approximately 90ml of solution. All the solids had dissolved by the time 90 g of thewater had been provided into the container system.

Example 6

The solution formed in Example 3 was withdrawn from the container systemthrough the nozzle assembly at flow rates up to 50 ml/min, based on theneeds of a dialysis system. The solution formed in Example 4 waswithdrawn from the container system through the nozzle assembly at flowrates of 0.875 ml/min or 1.17 ml/min. The solution formed in Example 5was withdrawn from the container system through the nozzle assembly atdecreasing flow rates, as indicated in the Table 1.

TABLE 1 Example Step Procedure for Container Effluence Infusion StepFlow Rate (mL/min) Step Duration (min) 1 46 1 2 23 1 3 11 1 4 6 1 5 3 16 1 1

Though 46 ml/min was the highest flow rate used based on operationalneeds, there was no indication this was a practical limit for flowthrough the nozzle assembly.

Additional non limiting example embodiments of the disclosure aredescribed below.

Embodiment 1

A container system comprising at least one flexible wall defining acompartment containing a dissolvable solid or concentrate, a supportadjacent a first end of the at least one flexible wall, and a nozzleassembly coupled to a second end of the at least one flexible wall. Thesecond end of the wall is distal from the first end. The nozzle assemblycomprises a hollow body defining a longitudinal axis. The hollow bodyfurther defines a plurality of orifices through a wall thereof. Eachorifice is able to form a fluid connection between an interior volumewithin the hollow body and the compartment. Each orifice is configuredto deliver liquid from the interior volume to the compartment in adirection having an angle of between 5° and 85° from a direction of thelongitudinal axis.

Embodiment 2

The container system of Embodiment 1, further comprising a frangibleseal configured to limit transfer of material from the compartmentthrough the nozzle assembly until the frangible seal has been breached.

Embodiment 3

The container system of Embodiment 2, wherein the frangible sealcomprises an adhesive bonded to the at least one flexible wall withinthe compartment.

Embodiment 4

The container system of any one of Embodiments 1 through 3, furthercomprising a port configured to couple a fluid conduit to the nozzleassembly.

Embodiment 5

The container system of any one of Embodiments 1 through 4, wherein onlya single fluid conduit connects the compartment to an exterior of thecontainer system at any one time.

Embodiment 6

The container system of any one of Embodiments 1 through 5, wherein thenozzle assembly is configured to receive a solution from the compartmentand deliver the solution to a conduit external to the compartment.

Embodiment 7

The container system of any one of Embodiments 1 through 6, wherein theat least one flexible wall defines at least one seam adjacent the nozzleassembly at the second end of the at least one flexible wall, andwherein at least one orifice of the plurality is configured to deliverliquid from the interior volume to the compartment in a directionsubstantially parallel to the at least one seam.

Embodiment 8

The container system of Embodiment 7, wherein the at least one seamcomprises a horizontal bottom seam, and wherein at least one orifice ofthe plurality is configured to deliver liquid substantially horizontallyfrom the interior volume to the compartment.

Embodiment 9

The container system of any one of Embodiments 1 through 8, wherein thenozzle assembly extends into the compartment a distance between about 1mm and about 10 mm.

Embodiment 10

A nozzle assembly comprising a hollow body having a generallycylindrical exterior surface and defining a longitudinal axis, and aport configured to couple to a catheter. The hollow body defines aplurality of orifices therethrough. Each orifice is able to form a fluidconnection between an interior volume within the hollow body and anexterior volume outside the nozzle assembly. Each orifice is configuredto deliver liquid received from the port to the exterior volume in adirection forming an angle of between 5° and 85° with respect to adirection of the longitudinal axis of the hollow body.

Embodiment 11

The nozzle assembly of Embodiment 10, wherein at least one orifice ofthe plurality is wherein the angle is at least 10°.

Embodiment 12

The nozzle assembly of Embodiment 11, wherein the angle is at least 20°.

Embodiment 13

The nozzle assembly of any one of Embodiments 10 through 12, wherein atleast one orifice of the plurality is oriented such that liquid flowingthrough the at least one orifice leaves the nozzle assembly traveling ina direction at an angle of at least 5° with respect to a directionnormal to an exterior surface of the nozzle assembly.

Embodiment 14

The nozzle assembly of Embodiment 13, wherein the at least one orificeof the plurality is oriented such that liquid flowing through the atleast one orifice leaves the nozzle assembly traveling in a direction atan initial angle of at least 10° with respect to a direction normal toan exterior surface of the nozzle assembly.

Embodiment 15

A method for delivering a liquid, comprising providing a plurality ofstreams of a liquid through a nozzle assembly into a compartmentcontaining a dissolvable solid or concentrate, mixing the dissolvablesolid or concentrate with the liquid to form a solution, and withdrawingthe solution after mixing from the compartment through the nozzleassembly. The compartment is defined by at least one flexible wallhaving a support adjacent a first end of the at least one flexible wall.The nozzle assembly is coupled to a second end of the at least oneflexible wall distal from the first end, the nozzle assembly comprisinga hollow body defining a longitudinal axis. The hollow body defines aplurality of orifices therethrough, each orifice able to form a fluidconnection between an interior volume within the hollow body and thecompartment. Each orifice is configured to deliver the liquid from theinterior volume to the compartment in a direction having an angle ofbetween 5° and 85° from a direction of the longitudinal axis.

Embodiment 16

The method according to Embodiment 15, wherein providing a plurality ofstreams of a liquid through a nozzle assembly into a compartmentcomprises forming a rotational flow of the liquid in the compartment.

Embodiment 17

The method according to Embodiment 15 or Embodiment 16, furthercomprising breaching a frangible seal before providing the plurality ofstreams of the liquid through the nozzle assembly into the compartment.

Embodiment 18

The method according to any one of Embodiments 15 through 17, whereinwithdrawing the solution from the compartment through the nozzleassembly comprises varying a flow rate of the solution through thenozzle assembly.

Embodiment 19

The method according to Embodiment 18, wherein varying a flow rate ofthe solution through the nozzle assembly comprises decreasing the flowrate in a stepwise manner.

Embodiment 20

The method according to any one of Embodiments 15 through 19, whereinwithdrawing the solution from the compartment through the nozzleassembly begins less than five minutes after providing a plurality ofstreams of a liquid through a nozzle assembly begins.

While the description has been presented herein with respect to certainillustrated embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art willrecognize and appreciate that it is not so limited. Rather, manyadditions, deletions, and modifications to the illustrated embodimentsmay be made without departing from the scope of the invention ashereinafter claimed, including legal equivalents thereof. In addition,features from one embodiment may be combined with features of anotherembodiment while still being encompassed within the scope of theinvention as contemplated by the inventors. Further, embodiments of thedisclosure have utility with different and various container types andconfigurations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A container system comprising: at least one flexible wall defining a compartment containing a dissolvable solid or concentrate; a support adjacent a first end of the at least one flexible wall; and a nozzle assembly coupled to a second end of the at least one flexible wall, the second end distal from the first end, the nozzle assembly comprising a hollow body defining a longitudinal axis; wherein the hollow body further defines a plurality of orifices through a wall thereof, the plurality of orifices recessed into an outer surface of the nozzle assembly, one or more of the plurality of orifices oriented at an angle of between 5° and 85° relative to the longitudinal axis, each orifice able to form a fluid connection between an interior volume within the hollow body and the compartment, the one or more of the plurality of orifices defined by a first hole in an inner surface of the hollow body proximate the interior volume and a second hole in an outer surface of the hollow body proximate the compartment, wherein the first hole has a first cross-sectional shape and the second hole has a second different cross-sectional shape larger than the first cross-sectional shape and each orifice configured to deliver liquid from the interior volume to the compartment in a direction having an angle of between 5° and 85° from a direction of the longitudinal axis.
 2. The container system of claim 1, further comprising a frangible seal configured to limit transfer of material from the compartment through the nozzle assembly until the frangible seal has been breached.
 3. The container system of claim 2, wherein the frangible seal comprises an adhesive bonded to the at least one flexible wall within the compartment.
 4. The container system of claim 1, further comprising a port configured to couple a fluid conduit to the nozzle assembly.
 5. The container system of claim 1, wherein only a single fluid conduit connects the compartment to an exterior of the container system at any one time.
 6. The container system of claim 1, wherein the nozzle assembly is configured to receive a solution from the compartment and deliver the solution to a conduit external to the compartment.
 7. The container system of claim 1, wherein the at least one flexible wall defines at least one seam adjacent the nozzle assembly at the second end of the at least one flexible wall, and wherein at least one orifice of the plurality is configured to deliver liquid from the interior volume to the compartment in a direction substantially parallel to the at least one seam.
 8. The container system of claim 7, wherein the at least one seam comprises a horizontal bottom seam, and wherein at least one orifice of the plurality is oriented in a substantially horizontal orientation.
 9. The container system of claim 1, wherein the nozzle assembly extends into the compartment a distance between about 1 mm and about 10 mm.
 10. A container system comprising: at least one flexible wall defining a compartment containing a dissolvable solid or concentrate; a support adjacent a first end of the at least one flexible wall; and a nozzle assembly coupled to a second end of the at least one flexible wall, the second end distal from the first end, the nozzle assembly comprising a hollow body defining a longitudinal axis; wherein the hollow body further defines a plurality of orifices through a wall thereof, the plurality of orifices recessed into an outer surface of the nozzle assembly, one or more of the plurality of orifices oriented at an angle of between 5° and 85° relative to the longitudinal axis, each orifice able to form a fluid connection between an interior volume within the hollow body and the compartment, the one or more of the plurality of orifices defined by a first hole in an inner surface of the hollow body proximate the interior volume and a second hole in an outer surface of the hollow body proximate the compartment, wherein the first hole has a first cross-sectional shape and the second hole has a second cross-sectional shape different from the first cross-sectional shape and each orifice configured to deliver liquid from the interior volume to the compartment in a direction having an angle of between 5° and 85° from a direction of the longitudinal axis.
 11. The container system of claim 10, wherein the second cross-sectional shape of the second hole is larger than the first cross-sectional shape of the first hole. 